For Patients & Families

Let us help with the small things too.

Daily Needs

Life keeps going — even while you’re in the hospital. During your stay, Children’s Harbor is here to help with daily needs like laundry, exercise, transportation and more.

The Family Center

The Children’s Harbor Family Center, located in the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children, offers lots of ways for patients and their families to stay active and have fun during their hospital stay:

Laundry

When you live far away from hospital, some of the simple things we take for granted become more challenging — like washing and drying clothes. The Family Center at Children’s Harbor has several self-service washers and dryers available free to patients and their families.

Make the most of it

Make it a fun getaway — play games, read, draw or have your hair cut and styled while your clothes are washing. It helps the time pass by while you wait and offers an opportunity for fun memories.

How to get there

The Laundry is located inside the Children’s Harbor Family Center and is available for use from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on weekdays and weekends. Laundry detergent is generally available for use.

Fitness Center

Take advantage of the fitness center in the Children’s Harbor Family Center. It includes two stationary bicycles, a treadmill and a multi-station weight machine. For safety, parents are requested to exercise with their children under 14.

Next door to the fitness center is a high-ceiling enclosed room for playing basketball.

When you're done, there are showers and dressing rooms right around the corner — all available to families at no cost.

Make the most of it

Even light physical activity has been proven to offer a better mental state and helps us all cope with stressful situations.

How to get there

The Fitness Center is located inside the Children’s Harbor Family Center. It is available for use by patients and their families from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on weekdays and weekends. Questions? Contact (205) 638-6123.

Computer Desks

Three computers with high-speed Internet connections are available to patients and families. Post updates to social media sites, check email, find local restaurants, research medical information or enjoy some down time playing games online.

Make the most of it

The Game Room, Toddler Play Area and Family Media Room are right around the corner from the Computer Room — so everyone in the family can find something to do nearby.

How to get there

The Game Room is located inside the Children’s Harbor Family Center (see a map). It is available for use for patients and their families from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on weekdays and weekends. Questions? Contact (205) 638-6123.

Salon

Stop in and relax at the salon in the Children’s Harbor Family Center. Free haircuts, styles and shampoos are available to patients and family members. If your brave soldier or beautiful princess can’t make it out of their room, allow us the honor of coming to you.

Make the most of it

Looking good is closely aligned to feeling good. Why not take some time to be pampered and relax while getting a haircut?

How to get there

The salon is located just inside Children’s Harbor Family Center (see a map). Stylist Cleresea Brown is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am - 1 pm for patients and family members. Questions? Contact (205) 638-6123.

Family Kitchen

Have a family meal in the kitchen at Children’s Harbor Family Center. There is a microwave, refrigerator, tables and food storage areas available to patients and their families.

Make the most of it

Meals together may be difficult to manage during a hospitalization, but making an effort for your family to eat together around a table can really lift spirits and give everyone a chance to reconnect.

How to get there

The Family Kitchen is located inside the Children’s Harbor Family Center (see a map). It is available for use from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on weekdays and weekends. Questions? Contact (205) 638-6123.

Library

For the curious minds of patients, siblings and their parents, the library in the Family Center offers books and periodicals for children and adults. The books were provided by the Junior League of Birmingham and other generous donors.

Make the most of it

Lounge in the library or check out books and find a comfortable place somewhere else to read and relax.

How to get there

The Library is located just inside Children’s Harbor Family Center (see a map) and is open from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on weekdays and weekends. Questions? Contact (205) 638-6123.

Transportation & Housing Referrals

Transportation and housing are often a big challenge for families during hospitalization. Our team is in communication with the social services staff of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children and can help you connect with these and other resources.

Next Steps:

Social & Organization Referrals

Complete medical care often requires connecting multiple services in a collaborative way. Our social support services team can assist in discovering and connecting services by working with the required parties of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children and other resources.